Dear Members, One of the most common questions I am asked is why I should be a member of a horse council or, more specifically, a member of the Virginia Horse Council. Let’s examine the reasons why we join any organization. The first thing we usually consider when joining an organization is what’s in it for me. This is especially true when we join professional organizations related to the work we perform. These type organizations offer professional discounts, access to reduced-cost continuing education courses, and the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. The second reason for joining an organization, and the one that I feel is most important, is that you join the organization because you respect and support the work that the organization performs. Horse councils have been established to allow the various states to monitor the health of the industry at the state levels. It is the function of state horse councils, and specifically the Virginia Horse Council, to protect, promote and preserve the horse industry. The more members that we represent, whether they be individual or association members, the greater legislative and economic clout we have as an industry. We protect our industry by constantly monitoring legislation at both the federal and state levels that may impact our industry. For example, over the past months you have seen information on our website that related to the proposed changes to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) Rule 9, CFR11. The VHC formed a working committee which studied the changes to the regulation in depth, produced a matrix to study the changes, contacted the Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture for support, and actually spoke during the public comment period. No other group in the Virginia equine industry looked at this issue in this much depth. The VHC maintains a cordial working relationship with members of the Virginia General Assembly through legislative visits and through the production of our annual Legislative Trail Ride. Consequently, when a legislative issue arises that requires our attention we have access to legislators who already understand our industry and its unique character. We promote our industry by partnering with other agricultural organizations such as the Virginia Farm Bureau, the Virginia Agribusiness Council, the Virginia Horse Industry Board, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and the Equine Land Con- servation Resource. Additionally, we promote our industry and our organization by attendance at equine expos and trade shows, The Virginia Gold Cup, The Day of the American Cowboy SFH Colt Starting Challenge, and various horse shows and clinics. Winter - February 2017 The Virginia Horse Council Newsletter Youth visit the Capitol Virginia Horse Center www.virginiahorsecouncil.org
Transcript
Dear Members,
One of the most common questions I am asked is why I should be a member of a
horse council or, more specifically, a member of the Virginia Horse Council. Let’s
examine the reasons why we join any organization. The first thing we usually consider when joining an organization is what’s in it for me. This is especially true
when we join professional organizations related to the work we perform. These
type organizations offer professional discounts, access to reduced-cost continuing
education courses, and the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals.
The second reason for joining an organization, and the one that I feel is most important, is that you join the organization because you respect and support the
work that the organization performs.
Horse councils have been established to allow the various states to monitor the
health of the industry at the state levels. It is the function of state horse councils,
and specifically the Virginia Horse Council, to protect, promote and preserve the
horse industry. The more members that we represent, whether they be individual
or association members, the greater legislative and economic clout we have as an
industry. We protect our industry by constantly monitoring legislation at both the
federal and state levels that may impact our industry. For example, over the past
months you have seen information on our website that related to the proposed
changes to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) Rule 9, CFR11. The VHC formed a
working committee which studied the changes to the regulation in depth, produced
a matrix to study the changes, contacted the Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture
for support, and actually spoke during the public comment period. No other group
in the Virginia equine industry looked at this issue in this much depth. The VHC
maintains a cordial working relationship with members of the Virginia General
Assembly through legislative visits and through the production of our annual Legislative Trail Ride. Consequently, when a legislative issue arises that requires
our attention we have access to legislators who already understand our industry
and its unique character.
We promote our industry by partnering with other agricultural organizations such
as the Virginia Farm Bureau, the Virginia Agribusiness Council, the Virginia Horse
Industry Board, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and the Equine Land Con-
servation Resource. Additionally, we promote our industry and our organization
by attendance at equine expos and trade shows, The Virginia Gold Cup, The Day of
the American Cowboy SFH Colt Starting Challenge, and various
horse shows and clinics.
Winter - February 2017
The Virginia Horse Council
Newsletter
Youth visit the Capitol
Virginia Horse Center
www.virginiahorsecouncil.org
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VIRGINIA HORSE COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING
at VIRGINIA HORSE FESTIVAL
The VHC will hold its annual meeting on Saturday March 25, 2017 at 11:30 am, in the mansion, dur-
ing the Virginia Horse Festival at the Meadow Event Park, Doswell, Virginia. Members are invited to
attend the general meeting session which will feature a box luncheon. Officers for the coming year
will be elected and annual industry awards will be presented. To register your attendance at the
meeting and to reserve your box lunch please visit the Horse Council website or call the Virginia
Horse Council office at 1-888-467-7382.
EQUINE EDUCATION SEMINAR at HORSE FESTIVAL
In addition to holding its annual meeting the VHC will also host its annual Education Seminar Series
on March 25th at the Virginia Horse Festival. Admission to the seminar is free with a paid admission
to the Virginia Horse Festival. Seminar topics will include equine welfare laws, information about
equine rescue organizations and tips for adopting a horse from a rescue, acupuncture, hoof bandag-
ing, and emergency horse shoe removal. Seminar registration will be handled on site at the VHC
booth.
We preserve our industry by maintaining a commitment to provide quality education to our constituents through the production of equine seminars. In addition, we are vitally interested in our
youth as they represent the future of our industry. We just completed a legislative visit the General
Assembly, where 11 future youth leaders accompanied us. With respect to the youth visit the
purpose was twofold – one, we wanted our youth to experience the legislative process and, secondly, we wanted the legislators to meet the youth who are doing vital work in their associations
and communities. Watch for a special report in our next newsletter.
Historically, the VHC was responsible for the establishment of the Virginia
Horse Industry Board, which administers the Virginia bred program and has
awarded more than $2 million in grants to the Virginia horse industry to
date. VHC was also responsible for the passage of Virginia’s equine liability
act as well as a Virginia fence law. The VHC worked to bring horse racing
to Virginia and in the establishment of the Virginia Horse Center.
Our work is not done. We hope that you think that our past and
current work benefits our industry. So we hope that you will join us
because you think our mission is important and you are committed to
seeing our industry continue to grow and prosper.
Happy Trails!
Sue Alvis
President, Virginia Horse Council
Continued from page 1
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Page 3
One of the VHC’s agribusiness partners is the
Virginia Agribusiness Council. Organized in
1971, the Council is a member organization that
is committed to representing agricultural and
forestry interests in Virginia. The Virginia Agribusiness Council hosts an annual banquet
that showcases Virginia agriculture and Virginia
agricultural products. Generally, 100 members
of the General Assembly as well as 600 members
of the agricultural community attend the
banquet. With an attendance this large, the banquet offers the opportunity to network with
fellow members of the agricultural industry as
well as elected officials.
This year, recognizing that the Virginia Horse
Council does not always market itself to our
fellow members of the agricultural community,
the VHC staffed a booth in the exhibit hall prior
to the banquet, as well as a banquet table.
In addition to decorating the booth with pictures
and horse paraphernalia, members of the VHC
executive committee and our invited guests
dressed in attire to represent various aspects of
the equine industry. VHC members and guests
represented trail riders, English and Western
competition riders, foxhunters, polo players, a
rider with disabilities, and even a jockey. The
booth and staff garnered a lot of attention and
many questions from banquet attendees.
VIRGINIA AGRIBUSINESS BANQUET
Sue Alvis, President, VHC
Sally Lamb, Regional Director, VHC
Photos provided by Charlie Finley
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Beryl Herzog
PASSING OF VHC BOARD MEMBER BERYL HERZOG
The Virginia Horse Council is
saddened to report that long
time VHC director and former
president Beryl Herzog passed
away after a short illness on
February 10, 2017.
Beryl bred, raised and gave les-
sons on her beloved Morgan
horses at Green Bay Morgans in
Beaverdam. She was a past
president and the founder of the
Old Dominion Morgan Horse Association, as well as past
president, current board mem-
ber and Hall of Fame member of
the VHSA.
Beryl served on the Board of
Directors of the Atlantic Rural
Exposition (State Fair of
Virginia) and was currently
chairman of the Virginia Mu-
seum of the Horse. The indus-
try has lost a gracious lady who
loved and gave a life of service
to the equine industry.
HORSE PROTECTION ACT REGULATIONS ON HOLD
The change in federal administration has placed the final Horse Protection Act rules on hold.
President Trump placed a hold on all new federal regulations pending review. On January
13, 2017, USDA announced a final HPA rule, however, the final rule had not been published
in the Federal Register before the President instituted the hold. At present there is no time-
line for the review of the rule and the new administration could issue the new rule at any
time, or withdraw the rule completely. Until that time the enforcement program will con-
tinue under current HPA rules. The VHC will alert its members when any action is taken.
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2016 TRAV Horse Show – 28 years at the Virginia Horse Center
The Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV), Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed
to foster the concepts of therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities. The Thera-
peutic Riding Association of Virginia, Inc. was formed in 1986. There are currently over 24
member centers in the Commonwealth. Each operating center is a member of the Professional
Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), complies with accredita-
tion standards, and certifies their instruc-
tors through PATH Intl. TRAV individual
members include program administrators,
instructors, therapists, volunteers, parents,
riders, and other therapeutic riding enthu-
siasts.
One of the ways that TRAV promotes
therapeutic horsemanship is the Annual
TRAV Horse Show. The Annual TRAV
Horse Show started at the old Richmond
Fair Grounds, then moved to the beautiful
Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. Al-
though the show has run for more years, it
celebrated its 28th year held at the Virginia
Horse Center this past October 22-23. The show is one of three of the longest consecutively
running horse shows at the Virginia Horse Center. The two day show includes equitation, trails,
pole bending and dressage. Therapeutic centers across Virginia bring their riders and mounts.
In addition, the show hosted Centers from North Carolina and West Virginia in October.
The show is a time for riders to exhibit their skills among peers. Instructors, parents and riders
themselves look forward to this
show all year. One parent
mentioned that her son has a digital
calendar and resets it every year
the day after the show, counting down until next year. The TRAV
show often shares the Center
facilities with another show. One
year some riders from the House
Mountain Show came to our arena
to watch. As one spectator called
to a friend, “You have to come see
this – this is amazing!”
Tina, from Lift Me Up of Great Falls, was shown by several riders and handlers and was voted the mount
that best represented the therapeutic horse. Submitted by Lynda McGarry, VHC Regional Director.
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2017 VHC Youth Day
Richmond
Bruce Griffin -
Griffin Sport Horses
Photos provided by Charlie Finley
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VIRGINIA HORSE COUNCIL
2017 Membership Application
The Council is a not-for-profit organization and is your voice for the expanding equine industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia,
supporting all equine activities and interests in Virginia.
Membership year is January 1 through December 31
Annual membership:
Youth (21 and under) $10
*Premium Youth $35
Individual $25
*Premium Individual $50
Family $30
*Premium Family $75
*Premium memberships include $1,000,000 In Excess Liability Insurance
Commercial/Business/Farm $50
Equine Group or Association
Up to 100 members $50
More than 100 members $100
Lifetime Membership $500 TOTAL enclosed $____________________
Mail check payable to:
The Virginia Horse Council
Administrative Assistant, 16157 Pug Swamp Lane, Beaverdam, VA 23015
888-HORSEVA (888-467-7382)
Or you can go to www.virginiahorsecouncil.org and join or renew on-line and use the PayPal feature.
After we receive your membership application, you will receive a Welcome Packet which will include: * Current newsletter * Chart of contacts
* Membership card * Info on member benefits
* In-excess policy (if purchased)
Name ___________________________________________________________________
*For family memberships- please list the name of all and include age of all minors
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The Virginia Horse Council
Our mission is to serve as the umbrella organization of the Virginia equine community and to monitor legislative issues affecting horsemen and horses in the Commonwealth.
The vision of the Virginia Horse Council (VHC) is to be recognized as a leader in providing broad
representation to all facets of the equine industry before the Virginia General Assembly and Congress. The VHC collaborates with other areas of the agricultural community and helps facilitate
communications between members of the equine industry and state and federal agencies. The VHC aspires to keep Virginia horsemen informed of regulations and pending legislation that may
impact them, and to provide educational opportunities that further enhance the industry.
Visit www.virginiahorsecouncil.org for further information and join us on Facebook
VHC Regional Directors, David Lamb & Sandy Hoyer with youth in Richmond
